Packing box

ABSTRACT

A packing box includes a bottom wall, first side walls, second side walls, and split walls. The bottom wall has a quadrangular shape having first side edges and second side edges. The first side walls respectively extend from the first side edges and have first opposite side edges that are respectively opposite to the first side edges. The second side walls respectively extend from the second side edges. The split walls respectively extend from the first opposite side edges of the first side walls and respectively have distal-end edges in directions in which the split walls extend. The distal-end edges of the split walls are configured to abut on each other such that the split walls form a ceiling wall that is opposite to the bottom wall. The split walls are respectively configured to be locked with the second side walls with a locking member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-226607 filed on Nov. 27, 2017. The entire contents of the priority application are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology described herein relates to a packing box configured to pack a block-shaped article in a simple manner.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, when a block-shaped article is packed or packaged for damage prevention, for example, the article is wrapped with a paper sheet or a film sheet folded along the article, or the article is accommodated in a packaging box having a size of receiving the article. The use of the paper sheet or the film sheet takes time and labor, and thus the use of the packaging box provides more excellent workability.

Various types of packaging boxes have been proposed. One type is a packaging box including a bottom sheet and a top sheet each of which is formed double. This packaging box produces no gap with respect to an article to be stored in the packaging box such as an inner box and has less dead space. Therefore, a space required for a corrugated cardboard sheet is reduced. An example of such a packaging box is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-145244.

Another type is a packaging box made of paper. This packaging box can be folded into a substantially flat shape. Packaging boxes of various forms can be made from the substantially flat shaped material. For example, the flat shaped material may be made into forms of packaging boxes such that packaging boxes can be stacked, an article put in the packaging box can be seen, and the packaging box can be carried with a holding part. An example of such a packaging box is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-72740.

If block-shaped articles that are respectively packaged in inner boxes are accommodated in a solid outer box, each of the inner boxes preferably has a simple and lightweight structure as possible. In other words, it is preferable that each of the inner boxes is assembled easily and has a single-layer structure.

SUMMARY

The technology described herein was made in view of the above circumstances. An object is to provide a packing box that is assembled easily and has a single-layer structure.

A packing box according to one aspect of the technology described herein includes a bottom wall, first side walls, second side walls, and split walls. The bottom wall has a quadrangular shape and includes first side edges that are opposite to each other and second side edges that are different from the first side edges and opposite to each other. The first side walls respectively extend from the first side edges of the bottom wall and are raised from the bottom wall and have first opposite side edges that are respectively opposite to the first side edges. The second side walls respectively extend from the second side edges of the bottom wall and are raised from the bottom wall. The split walls respectively extend from the first opposite side edges of the first side walls. The split walls respectively have distal-end edges in directions in which the split walls extend and the distal-end edges of the split walls are configured to abut on each other such that the split walls form a ceiling wall that is opposite to the bottom wall. The split walls are respectively configured to be locked with the second side walls with a locking member.

A packing box according to another aspect of the technology described herein includes a bottom wall, first side walls, second side walls, and a ceiling wall. The bottom wall has a quadrangular shape and includes first side edges that are opposite to each other and second side edges that are opposite to each other and different from the first side edges. The first side walls respectively extend from the first side edges of the bottom wall and are raised from the bottom wall. The second side walls respectively extend from the second side edges of the bottom wall and are raised from the bottom wall. The ceiling wall extends from a first opposite side edge of one of the first side walls to another one of the first side walls, and the first opposite side edge is opposite to one of the first side edges. The ceiling wall is disposed to be opposite to the bottom wall and locked with the other one of the first side walls and the second side walls with a locking member.

According to the above configurations, a block-shaped article can be packed in a simple manner as below. After an article is placed on the bottom wall of the packing box that is made of cardboard and is unfolded, the first side walls and the second side walls are folded so as to be raised from the bottom wall and the split walls or the ceiling wall is placed over an upper surface of the article and is locked with the second side walls with the locking member.

Furthermore, the packing box configured as above has a single-layer structure. Thus, the packing box does not have any unnecessary extra portion and thus is light in weight.

According to the technology described herein, it is possible to provide a packing box that is easy to be assembled and has a single-layer structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flat pattern view of a packing box of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packing box during an assembling procedure.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the packing box during the assembling procedure.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the packing box that is assembled.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the packing box that is assembled.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a packing box of a second embodiment during an assembling procedure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the packing box that is assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

A packing box 10 accommodates a block-shaped article (not shown) such that the packing box 10 wraps the article along an outer surface of the article. The packing box 10 is made of, e.g., cardboard, and has a box shape standing by itself. After the block-shaped article is packed in the packing box 10, such packing boxes are accommodated in an outer box made of, e.g., corrugated cardboard, and are transported in this state. In the following description, a left lower side, a right upper side, a right lower side, a left upper side, an upper side, and a lower side in FIG. 2 are defined as a front side, a rear side, a right side, a left side, an upper side, and a lower side, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the packing box 10 according to the present embodiment has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The packing box 10 includes a bottom wall 11, two first side walls 14, two second side walls 15, and two split walls 17. The bottom wall 11 has a shape of a rectangular plate that is long in a left-right direction. The two first side walls 14 respectively extend from two first side edges 12 (longer side edges) of the bottom wall 11, and are raised upward from the bottom wall 11, the two first side edges 12 being opposite to each other in a front-rear direction. The two second side walls 15 respectively extend from two second side edges 13 (shorter side edges) of the bottom wall 11, and are raised upward from the bottom wall 11, the two second side edges 13 being opposite to each other in the left-right direction. The two split walls 17 respectively extend from upper-end edges (referred to as first opposite side edges 16) of the two first side walls 14.

The shapes and sizes of the two split walls 17 are identical. In addition, the two split walls 17 are configured to allow distal-end edges 17A of the split walls 17 to abut on each other when the split walls 17 are folded at the first opposite side edges 16 inwardly and perpendicularly relative to the first side walls 14, respectively. Namely, the two split walls 17 form a ceiling wall being opposite to the bottom wall 11. The packing box 10 is closed with the ceiling wall. Furthermore, the whole of the packing box 10 has a single-layer structure.

Each of the two split walls 17 has a left side edge 17B on the left side and a right side edge 17B on the right side. In the closed state as described above, two left side edges 17B and two right side edges 17B abut on upper-end edges 15A of the respective two second side walls 15. The upper-end edges 15A of the second side walls 15 do not have any portion extending therefrom, and thus the upper-end edges 15A have edge surfaces that are exposed.

The two first side walls 14 have side edges 14B, and the two second side walls 15 have side edges 15B. Adjacent ones of the side edges 14B and 15B abut on each other.

Each of the two split walls 17 has locking pieces 18 on the two side edges 17B, respectively, and the locking piece 18 extends from each of the two side edges 17B (the total number of the locking pieces 18 is four). The locking piece 18 extends perpendicularly from the side edge 17B. Specifically, the locking piece 18 extends from a distal end portion of the side edge 17B. The distal end portion is a distal end with respect to an extending direction in which the split wall 17 extends from the first side wall 14 (the portion near the distal-end edge 17A). Each of the locking pieces 18 has a distal end portion that is curved obliquely toward the distal-end edge 17A of the split wall 17. A curved portion serves as a locking part 18A that is to be locked with a wall surface of the second side wall 15.

Meanwhile, each of the two second side walls 15 has two locking holes 19 into which the two locking pieces 18 described above are to be inserted, respectively. Each of the two locking holes 19 has an arched shape. The positions and sizes of the locking holes 19 are set such that the locking holes 19 can receive the locking pieces 18, respectively, when the two split walls 17 are closed.

The packing box 10 according to the present embodiment has the configuration described above. Next, the following will describe procedures for assembling the packing box 10. Note that the assembling procedures should not necessarily be performed in the following order.

In order to pack a block-shaped article, the article (not shown) is first placed on the bottom wall 11 of a flat sheet member of the packing box 10 that is unfolded. Then, the two first side walls 14 and the two second side walls 15 are folded so as to be raised from the bottom wall 11 along side surfaces of the article.

Next, the two first side walls 14 are folded such that the upper-end edges are directed inwardly and the two split walls 17 are positioned along an upper surface of the article. Also, when the first side walls 14 are folded as above, the two locking pieces 18 of each first side wall 14 are inserted into the locking holes 19 such that the distal ends of the locking pieces 18 first enter the locking holes 19. Along with the closing motion of the split walls 17, the locking pieces 18 are gradually inserted such that proximal ends of the locking pieces 18 reach the locking holes 19. In a state where the split walls 17 are closed, the locking parts 18A are partially located outside the locking holes 19 in width directions of the locking holes 19. Consequently, the locking pieces 18 are locked with the wall surfaces of the second side walls 15 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In this locked state, the edges (the distal-end edges 18B) of the locking pieces 18 close to the distal ends thereof are arranged along an upper surface of the bottom wall 11 (see FIG. 4).

Next, the following will describe operations and advantageous effects of the packing box 10.

The packing box 10 according to the present embodiment includes the bottom wall 11, the two first side walls 14, the two second side walls 15, and the two split walls 17. The bottom wall 11 has a rectangular shape. The two first side walls 14 respectively extend from the two first side edges 12 of the bottom wall 11 and are raised from the bottom wall 11, and the two first side edges 12 are opposite to each other. The two second side walls 15 respectively extend from the two second side edges 13 of the bottom wall 11 and are raised from the bottom wall 11. The two second side edges 13 are different from the first side edges 12. The two split walls 17 respectively extend from the two first opposite side edges 16 of the two first side walls 14, and the two first opposite side edges 16 are respectively opposite to the two first side edges 12. The two split walls 17 respectively have the distal-end edges 17A in the directions in which the two split walls 17 extend, and the distal-end edges 17A are configured to abut on each other such that the two split walls 17 form the ceiling wall that is opposite to the bottom wall 11. The two split walls 17 are respectively configured to be locked with the two second side walls 15 with locking members each including the locking piece 18 and the locking hole 19.

With this configuration, a block-shaped article can be packed in a simple manner as below. An article is placed on the bottom wall 11 of the packing box 10 that is made of cardboard and is unfolded. The two first side walls 14 and the two second side walls 15 are folded so as to be raised from the bottom wall 11. Then, the two split walls 17 are placed over an upper surface of the article and are locked with the second side walls 15 simply by inserting the locking pieces 18 into the locking holes 19.

Furthermore, a sheet member for a packing box is formed into a box shape conforming to the block-shaped article simply by inserting the locking pieces 18 into the locking holes 19 without the need for an adhesive, tape, a fastener, and/or the like, which has been required in the conventional techniques.

Furthermore, the packing box 10 configured as above has a single-layer structure except for portions including locking structures in which the locking pieces 18 and the second side walls 15 overlap each other. Thus, the packing box 10 does not have any unnecessary extra portion, and thus is light in weight.

Moreover, the locking pieces 18 are included in the split walls 17 and the locking holes 19 are formed in the second side walls 15. Thus, when the flat sheet member of the packing box 10 that is unfolded is cut out from sheet material, the locking pieces 18 extend from the split walls 17 along directions in which the second side walls 15 extend from the bottom wall 11. This configuration enables effective use of the sheet material of the packing box 10, as compared to a configuration including the locking pieces 18 on the second side walls 15.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the following description, configurations different from those of the first embodiment will be described. Components similar to those of the first embodiment will be provided with numbers to which 10 is added to the respective numbers of the first embodiment and will not be described herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a packing box 20 according to the present embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment. The packing box 20 includes a ceiling wall 27 extending from an upper-end edge (referred to as a first opposite side edge 26) of one of two first side walls 24 disposed on the rear side in FIG. 6. The other one of the two first side walls 24 has no component on an upper end edge 24A thereof and the upper end edge 24A has an end surface that is exposed. The shapes and sizes of the ceiling wall 27 and a bottom wall 21 are identical. The packing box 20 is closed with the ceiling wall 27 (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, the whole of the packing box 10 has a single-layer structure.

The ceiling wall 27 has two side edges 27B on the left and right sides thereof and a distal-end edge 27A with respect to a direction in which the ceiling wall 27 extends from the first side wall 24. In the closed state as described above, the two side edges 27B of the ceiling wall 27 abut on upper-end edges 25A of second side walls 25, respectively, and the distal-end edge 27A abuts on the upper-end edge 24A of the other one of the first side walls 24. The upper-end edge 24A of the other one of the first side walls 24 is not continuous to the ceiling wall 27 and is exposed.

The ceiling wall 27 includes a first locking piece 30 extending from the distal-end edge 27A. The ceiling wall 27 includes second locking pieces 31 extending from the respective two side edges 27B (the total number of locking pieces 31 is three).

The first locking piece 30 is in a middle of the distal-end edge 27A and is raised perpendicularly from a board surface of the ceiling wall 27. The first locking piece 30 has a rectangular shape that is long laterally along a direction in which the distal-end edge 27A extends.

Each of the second locking pieces 31 is in a middle of a corresponding one of the side edges 27B and is also raised perpendicularly from the board surface of the ceiling wall 27. Each of the second locking pieces 31 has a distal end portion that is curved obliquely toward the distal-end edge 27A of the ceiling wall 27. A curved portion serves as a locking part 31A that is to be locked with a wall surface of a corresponding one of the second side walls 25.

Meanwhile, one of the first side walls 24 positioned in front in FIGS. 6 and 7 has a first locking hole 32 into which the first locking piece 30 described above is to be inserted. The first locking hole 32 is shaped in a laterally-long slit. The position and size of the first locking hole 32 are set such that the first locking hole 32 can receive the first locking piece 30 when the packing box is closed with the ceiling wall 27.

The two second side walls 25 have second locking holes 33 into which the second locking pieces 31 described above are to be inserted, respectively. Each of the second locking holes 33 has an arched shape. The positions and sizes of the second locking holes 33 are set such that the second locking holes 33 can receive the second locking pieces 31, respectively, when the packing box is closed with the ceiling wall 27.

Also with the packing box 20 according to the second embodiment as described above, an article can be packed with a simple operation in a similar manner to the foregoing embodiment. Furthermore, the packing box 20 configured as above has a single-layer structure except for sections including a locking structure in which the first locking piece 30 and the first side wall 24 overlap each other and locking structures in which the second locking pieces 31 and the second side walls 25 overlap each other. Thus, the packing box 20 does not have any unnecessary extra portion and thus is light in weight.

Moreover, the ceiling wall 27 includes the second locking pieces 31 and the second side walls 25 include the second locking holes 33. Thus, when the flat sheet member of the packing box 20 that is unfolded is cut out from sheet material, the second locking pieces 31 extend from the ceiling wall 27 along directions in which the second side walls 25 extend from the bottom wall 21. This configuration enables effective use of the sheet material of the packing box 20, as compared to a configuration including the second locking pieces 31 on the second side walls 25.

Other Embodiments

The technology described herein is not limited to the embodiments described above and with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments may be included in the technical scope.

(1) The order of assembling the packing box is not limited to those described in the above-described embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate. Alternatively, for example, the first and second side walls may be first raised from the bottom wall, and then an article may be placed on the bottom wall.

(2) The locking structures between the split walls or the ceiling wall and the first and second side walls are not limited to those described in the above-described embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

(3) Locking pieces may be included in first and second side walls, and locking holes may be formed in split walls or a ceiling wall.

(4) One of the two split walls 17 may be larger than the other one of the two split walls 17.

(5) The positions and the numbers of the locking pieces and the locking holes are not limited to those described in the above-described embodiments.

(6) The packing box may be made of any material, as long as the packing box made of the material can stand by itself and the split walls or the ceiling wall can be locked with the side wall(s) when the packing box is assembled.

(7) As needed, the side edges of the respective surfaces may be temporarily fastened by tape, for example. 

1. A packing box comprising: a bottom wall having a quadrangular shape and including first side edges that are opposite to each other and second side edges that are different from the first side edges and opposite to each other; first side walls respectively extending from the first side edges of the bottom wall and being raised from the bottom wall, the first side walls having first opposite side edges that are respectively opposite to the first side edges; second side walls respectively extending from the second side edges of the bottom wall and being raised from the bottom wall; and split walls respectively extending from the first opposite side edges of the first side walls, the split walls respectively having distal-end edges in directions in which the split walls extend, the distal-end edges of the split walls being configured to abut on each other such that the split walls form a ceiling wall that is opposite to the bottom wall, and the split walls being respectively configured to be locked with the second side walls with a locking member.
 2. The packing box according to claim 1, wherein the locking member includes a locking piece extending from one of the split walls and the second side walls, and a locking hole formed in another one of the split walls and the second side walls and into which the locking piece is to be inserted.
 3. The packing box according to claim 2, wherein the locking piece is included in one of the split walls and the locking hole is formed in one of the second side walls.
 4. A packing box comprising: a bottom wall having a quadrangular shape and including first side edges that are opposite to each other and second side edges that are opposite to each other and different from the first side edges; first side walls respectively extending from the first side edges of the bottom wall and being raised from the bottom wall; second side walls respectively extending from the second side edges of the bottom wall and being raised from the bottom wall; and a ceiling wall extending from a first opposite side edge of one of the first side walls to another one of the first side walls, the first opposite side edge being opposite to one of the first side edges, the ceiling wall being disposed to be opposite to the bottom wall, and the ceiling wall being locked with the other one of the first side walls and the second side walls with a locking member.
 5. The packing box according to claim 4, wherein the locking member locking the ceiling wall with each of the second side walls includes a locking piece extending from one of the ceiling wall and the second side walls, and a locking hole formed in the other of the ceiling wall and the second side walls and into which the locking piece is to be inserted.
 6. The packing box according to claim 5, wherein the locking piece is included in the ceiling wall and the locking hole is formed in one of the second side walls. 